"Not clear" serve is еxplicitly prohibited by the Rule 2.6

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If we accept that the rule requires that the receiver have clear sight of the ball at all times, then I think technology can be the only possible way of getting close to an objective view on whether or not the ball was hidden from their view. An additional umpire or linesman can never see the ball through the eyes of the receiver...the closest we can get to 'seeing what the receiver sees' would have to be a technology-based solution; some form of wearable body-cam that each player wears, thereby giving the umpire the first-person perspective of the receiver.
There lies the entire problem. The rule isn’t enforceable….

Cheers
L-zr
 
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As a player and an umpire with experience officiating at several European Championships, I’d like to share my perspective on illegal serves. In my experience, around 95% of players serve illegally, and most of the time, a good umpire can detect it.
When an umpire does call a fault serve, it often leads to protests from players and coaches, even in cases where the fault is clear. This can create uncomfortable situations, as seen with Truls arguing over the call, which also stirred a negative reaction from spectators against the umpire.
I haven’t umpired at a WTT tournament, as I’ve been busy lately and don’t have time for it, so I can’t speak to how umpires are treated there, but I can share from my experience at other tournaments. Umpires receive free accommodation, usually in a lower-class hotel than players (who themselves don’t always get top-tier hotels), along with a small daily allowance, which might cover around two beers. Travel expenses are self paid, and it’s also necessary to take time off work, using precious holiday days to participate in these events.

Given these factors, umpires may ask themselves: Should I put myself in a stressful, uncomfortable situation by calling every fault serve and constantly dealing with arguments from players, coaches, and negative reactions from spectators? Is it really worth it? Or should I let some serves slide, and occasionally call fault serves?
 
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As a player and an umpire with experience officiating at several European Championships, I’d like to share my perspective on illegal serves. In my experience, around 95% of players serve illegally, and most of the time, a good umpire can detect it.
When an umpire does call a fault serve, it often leads to protests from players and coaches, even in cases where the fault is clear. This can create uncomfortable situations, as seen with Truls arguing over the call, which also stirred a negative reaction from spectators against the umpire.
I haven’t umpired at a WTT tournament, as I’ve been busy lately and don’t have time for it, so I can’t speak to how umpires are treated there, but I can share from my experience at other tournaments. Umpires receive free accommodation, usually in a lower-class hotel than players (who themselves don’t always get top-tier hotels), along with a small daily allowance, which might cover around two beers. Travel expenses are self paid, and it’s also necessary to take time off work, using precious holiday days to participate in these events.

Given these factors, umpires may ask themselves: Should I put myself in a stressful, uncomfortable situation by calling every fault serve and constantly dealing with arguments from players, coaches, and negative reactions from spectators? Is it really worth it? Or should I let some serves slide, and occasionally call fault serves?
Simply put, if 95%, which is a super majority, of players serve illegally, the problem is not on the players or umpires but the rule itself.
In a society, a law/rule/regulation has to be reasonable enough to fit at least the majority if not super majority. When the majority or even the super majority fail to comply a law, what does the society do? In most cases, just abandon or change the law.
 
says Table tennis clown
says Table tennis clown
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Should I put myself in a stressful, uncomfortable situation by calling every fault serve and constantly dealing with arguments from players,
In football matches when players argue with a ref they get yellow and if they can't take that they go for an early shower.

I hope you get at least some grilled sausages with the two beers. 😁
Jokes aside, in our sport , at least when the Pros are concerned , the refs should be Pros as well. How otherwise will they be treated with respect ??????😕
 
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I believe the problem is that the rule isn't enforced in youth competitions. It should be enforced more strictly, so players would focus on learning to serve properly while developing their skills. Otherwise, as I've experienced, players often say, I've been using this serve for 10 years, and nobody ever called it illegal until now, implying that you are wrong.
 
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